Promoting Middle East peace: Iranian delegation to arrive in Pakistan for high-level talks

An Iranian delegation will arrive in Pakistan on Thursday night for high-level talks, stepping up diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. Tehran’s envoy to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, announced that representatives would arrive in the Pakistani capital to begin discussions based on a 10-point framework proposed by Iran. He said in a post on“The move comes as Washington decides to begin direct engagement with Tehran. A U.S. delegation led by Vice President Vance is also scheduled to arrive in Islamabad, with the first round of negotiations scheduled for Saturday morning.The team will include Middle East envoys Steve Witkopf and Jared Kushner, according to White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed his participation in the talks after a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Tehran delegation is expected to be led by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who played a central role in the country’s wartime leadership.The diplomatic push comes after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire window after announcing decisive military action against Iran. Ms. Levitt said attacks by the United States and Israel since February 28 have significantly weakened Iran’s ability to arm proxy groups in the region.Despite the suspension, hostilities continue in parts of the region. In Lebanon, Israel continues to launch attacks on Hezbollah positions, actions that Iran claims violate the ceasefire agreement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the world was witnessing “carnage in Lebanon,” adding that “the ball is in the U.S. court and the world is watching whether the United States will live up to its commitments.”The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that 182 people were killed in yesterday’s Israeli attack, the deadliest day in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. In just over five weeks, the violence has left 1,739 people dead and 5,873 injured.Israel supports a temporary moratorium on strikes against Iran but clarified that this would not extend to military operations in Lebanon. A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the ceasefire depends on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting attacks on the United States, Israel and other countries in the region.Speaking in Hungary, Vance warned Iran not to risk a ceasefire over developments in Lebanon, saying it would be “foolish” to do so and that it would be Tehran’s “choice” if talks “break down”.French President Emmanuel Macron said he had told the leaders of Iran and the United States that as Israel continues to attack Beirut, all areas of confrontation, including Lebanon, should abide by the ceasefire agreement.The Strait of Hormuz remains a focus of tension. Iranian media reported that access to the strait had been largely blocked, while the White House said it had observed an increase in shipping activity in the area. The IRGC navy also announced alternative transit routes for ships to avoid mines after pledging to reopen the strait as part of ongoing negotiations.